ROZ FLANAGAN

Reality TV star

What did it feel like to become a grandmother?

It’s amazing and weird as your child is having a child! My eldest granddaughter is eight which is unbelievable. The first grandchild is nearly like having your own first child again, except you can hand them back and you don’t have all of that responsibility! It’s very special to be able to walk your daughter through the whole pregnancy to having the baby. I’m only after going through it for the fifth time recently. I have five grandchildren now – three little girls and two boys. I have four girls myself and having three granddaughters is so special, and it was super exciting when the boys came along. I feel so blessed to have them here and that they’re all healthy.

Are you close with them?

Oh gosh, yes. Especially with India because she’s the oldest – the next one is only three and at that age they’re still attached to Mammy. But as they get older you can spend time with them more and take them out. I’ve always taken India out for her birthday. I take her to the pantomime every Christmas, she loves Sammy Sausages! She loves it when I pick her up from school and bring her to Nana’s house. The girls love to come over and we paint nails and do hair. India loves going into my bedroom and dressing room and going through all my stuff.

Are there any life lessons or messages that you want to instil in them as they grow up?

I want them to always have respect for themselves and for others, and to remember who they are and where they came from. I try to instil that in them as well as appreciating life, and having nice manners and good values. If you remember all of those things, I think any child will do well. It’s important to have those values.

It must be lovely to always be the good guy as a grandparent – sometimes parents are enemy number one!

I am always the good guy which is amazing! I’m living my dream. There are these gorgeous children and I have loads of time that I can spend with them. You don’t have that when you have your own children. With the grandchildren, you have the time to have a little chat with a cup of tea and a biscuit. I’m loving life with them.

What does being a grandmother mean to you?

I didn’t have my grandparents as a child and I used to think about how I’d love to have a granny and grandad. I used to think it was very special and as it was something I didn’t have, it’s so special to me now to be that person. To be able to do nice things and give to them and teach them things.